climate change Archives

22 Aug 2019

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The Raindance Project | The concert that matters

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On August 22, 2019 With No Comments

This September you can enjoy a free concert in Amsterdam, Tanzania and Kenia that will be streamed all over the world, in order to raise awareness about climate change. It’s called the Raindance Project and includes a pretty impressive line-up artists and musicians, dancers and speakers.

Non-profit organisation JustDiggit has just announced that they will host a free concert in the Vondelpark Open air theater on the 14th of September 2019, starting at 12:00. Artists will include De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig, Joost van Bellen, Akwasi, Donnie, Naaz, Flexican and many more. Justdiggit ambassador Floortje Dessing and Tess Milne will be presenting. At the same time, The Raindance Project in Africa will be held in rural and drought-stricken areas, to inspire and activate the farmers who are implementing re-greening and rainwater harvesting techniques and spread the word.

It will be the mini Live Aid for climate change that we’ve been waiting for

Raising Awareness

This event is now more important than ever, while the Amazon is blazing on fire at the moment. Desertification is one of the most urgent threats to mankind, causing food and water scarcity, poverty, climate change and millions of climate refugees. The Raindance Project aims to create awareness but also celebrating the re-greening successes so far. But most of all demonstrate the urgency of climate change and promote one of the major solutions, nature.

If we can warm up the earth, we can also cool it down

A continues project

The Raindance Project is a true decade plan 2020 – 2030 and an open invitation to the rest of the world to join. Together with international partners such as the UN Environment it is the time to change the course of our narrative. Dutch radio station 3FM is official partner of The Raindance Project and will livestream the entire event. The event can also be followed via the official socials of Justdiggit, The Raindance Project and 3FM.

Check the full line up here:

One thing is for sure, you want to be there on the 14th of September. It will be the concert that can change your life.

Wander-Lust

Find out how you can reduce your ecological footprint during your travels!

09 Nov 2016

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Trump Wins and This Is How It Will Affect Our Planet

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On November 9, 2016 With 1 Comment

I was woken up by my boyfriend this morning who whispered in my ear that Trump was winning the USA election. Because I was half asleep, I thought it was a bad dream. But no, it was really happening. My stomach turned and one of the first things that came to my mind was our planet. As some of you may know, I am very passionate about keeping this planet green and sustainability is high on my list. I co-organized the Dutch premiere of Leonardo’s documentary “Before The Flood” and set up Green Up Your Life which focuses on bringing extra attention to Climate Change among the millennials.

Emanuelle (right) and me talking at the Before The Flood premiere

I really felt the world was moving into the right direction, people talked about these issues more than ever and it felt good that 157 countries signed the Paris agreement last year. The new Climate Change Conference is held in Marrakesh as we speak where plans are made concrete in hope that we can lower the earths temperature.

So what will happen now that Trump is becoming President?
Well, he said quite bluntly that Climate Change is a Chinese Hoax. He basically wants to scrap all the major regulations that President Obama painstakingly put in place to reduce US carbon dioxide emissions, including the Clean Power Plan. With Republicans controlling the House and Senate, he can easily do this. Pass a bill and sign it. Done. This is worrying. But one of the most important and therefore dangerous claims he’s made is that Trump has said he wants to pull the United States out of the Paris climate deal. It won’t be so easy to do this in only 4 years (even though this seems like a long time) but he can make it very very difficult for the Paris agreement to keep the United States in the right Climate direction.

So is there anything positive?
Well, we can stand for something. People have proven over decades that by protesting hard enough, movements can be made. We have social media now and although it can be a pain in the ass, we can use it to spread messages that will inspire the young generation to do something about this. Let’s go viral, and let’s fight for our planet. Europe is doing great when it comes to alternative solutions and renewable energy. Look at all the Scandinavian countries, they are leading the way and it’s working. (check the most sustainable countries in the world here) Their economy is only growing because of their innovating behavior and the world should follow. Thank god for companies like Tesla, that make sustainability look cool again.

Let’s hope that Mr. Trump has a heart and will think twice about the things he’s said about this issue. The only comfort I have, is that he’s been so inconsistent during his campaign that we can hopefully take his words with a pinch of salt.

Love,

Elke

27 Oct 2016

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Shocked reactions at Dutch Premiere of Leonardo’s ‘Before The Flood’

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On October 27, 2016 With No Comments

On Wednesday, October 26th, the official Dutch premiere of ‘Before The Flood‘ took place in the Chicago Social Club in Amsterdam. Press, bloggers, influencers and young Amsterdam watched the impressive and rather shocking documentary Co-produced by Leonardo Dicaprio. The girls of Green Up Your Life did so in partnership with National Geographic.

Photo by Ilsoo van Dijk

Green Up Your Life
Green Up Your Life was founded by Elke Salverda (Wander-Lust) and Emmanuelle Vos with the aim to raise more awareness among the younger generation when it comes to climate change. “The main reason for us to host this non profit event in a club and not in another location, was because it’s time that the young generation get’s more involved.” Elke Explained. DJ’s played good tunes and they served a local Amsterdam’s Gin (Jajem) which is completely free of animal products. Guests went home with a goodiebag filled with tasty and informative products such as hand-cut mountain tea from Lemon Poppy (plus they use recyclable packaging), a healthy snack from Unlimited Health, Proper Popcorn, a discount voucher of ROOTS and a National Geographic Magazine.
The epilogue was provided by DJ Gregor Salto and Maurits Groen who are both actively engaged in environmental and development issues. Groen said: “We have some time, but not much until we reach that tipping point. I am happy to stand here in front of a young generation and see that you care.”

Emanuelle (left) and Elke (right) Photo by Kirsten van Santen

Photo by Ilsoo van Dijk

Before The Flood
On the same evening, the documentary also screened during the National Klimmaattop 2016 in Rotterdam. The film shocked everybody. Most people didn’t realize what’s going on and how far we’ve gone. National Geographic wants the film and importance of the environment to be spread to the widest possible audience to draw attention. For this reason, they’re not only showing the documentary on their television channel but also make it available through social media channels of National Geographic and other external parties. From Sunday, October 30th the documentary will be aired at 10pm on the National Geographic Channel in The Netherlands and it will then be widely available on the internet such as YOUTUBE, natgeotv.com and more.

Leo in Before The Flood

It’s time to take action NOW. We have done the studies, we have seen it with our own eyes, we can’t ignore it any longer. Climate Change will affect us all. What will you do to take action?

Love,

Wander-Lust

Follow Green Up Your Life on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more info about their events and projects. The full photo report will go online soon.

23 Sep 2015

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Film Tip » COWSPIRACY

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On September 23, 2015 With No Comments

Leonardo Dicaprio is the executive producer of this revealing documentary and he didn’t just do this to make some extra cash.
The man is very passionate about the environment and helps where he can. A man to my heart. (and eh.. I loved Titanic!)
But the main reason for him to financially back this documentary is, because he wants to raise awareness for a major problem that most of us don’t realize; Animal Agriculture.
Animal what? Exactly. That’s what I thought.
I don’t want to scare you but did you know that only 15{8b669be72a7f340f9ef2d6d852585cd40ddf0e79ccf763f3ea93c1234c3d888b} of greenhouse gas emissions are due to transport. (cars, rail, planes, boats)
You’ll be shocked if I told you that 51{8b669be72a7f340f9ef2d6d852585cd40ddf0e79ccf763f3ea93c1234c3d888b} of emissions are due to livestock and their byproducts.

1-2 acres Rainforrest are being cut down every minute to make room for animal agriculture. Just so that the animals can feed so we, humans, can enjoy that steak or burger.
It’s it’s also crazy to think that about a quarter of the world is starving while 45{8b669be72a7f340f9ef2d6d852585cd40ddf0e79ccf763f3ea93c1234c3d888b} of the worlds land is used to feed the animals!

“Cowspiracy may be the most important film made to inspire saving the planet.”

If we all make a change in our diet, it will help more than driving an electric car..

What we seem to forget is, that back in the days we didn’t live on the planet with 7,2 billion people.

I have been a non meat eater since I was 13 years old (I say non meat, because I eat fish). I knew that it was better for the environment to eat less meat but I didn’t realize that the impact was so large. Animal products like milk, cheese and eggs are also a reason for the devastating results and this is something I didn’t know.
Of course, we can look back in time and say; ‘Back in the the year 1900 everybody was eating meat, it’s only natural.’ But what we seem to forget is, that back in the days we weren’t living on the planet with the 7,2 billion people as we are now. We are with so many of us and the number is still growing. How many more trees need to be cut, how many species need to die and how many oceans need to be empty? We need to change.

So what can we do?
If you are a regular meat eater, it’s not a bad idea to have a meatless day or two. The same applies to fish.
Yes, it’s not easy to change our natural habits, but as a vegetarian, I know how many nice things you can eat without having to use meat or fish.
Check this website for amazing vegetarian and vegan blogs or recipes. You can also join the 30 day Vegan Challenge.
I recently started to eat a vegan diet. I am finishing the last milk and eggs in my refrigerator and I need to have a last meal of sushi. (This is also hard for me!)
But I will not buy animal products anymore.
Why? Because I love this planet. And I really really don’t want to give it up.

One of my first vegan meals, while writing this article at restaurant Golden Temple.

Watch Cowspiracy and decide on your own. After all, it’s also your planet.
Click here for the trailer.

Love,

Elke

» To read more about Cowspiracy go to their website. The movie is now available on Netflix.
» To see my 5 reasons to love the world, check here.